Naval Group and Thales join forces for a sovereign AI in France

• Naval Group, an international player in naval defence, takes a 20% stake in cortAIx France and joins its governance.
• cortAIx, Thales’ artificial intelligence accelerator dedicated to critical systems, is enriched with cutting-edge AI engineering applied to naval defence systems, with the opening of a dedicated centre in the South of France, near Naval Group’s site.
• This strategic partnership for France aims to quickly provide the armed forces with solutions that integrate trusted, cyber-secure, and sovereign AI, enhancing their operational superiority in the face of constantly evolving threats, while keeping humans in control.

Naval Group has invested in the capital of cortAIx France, joining Thales to address major challenges related to integrating AI into critical defence systems. This unprecedented alliance will accelerate the deployment of AI technologies and their adoption by the armed forces, while upholding algorithm sovereignty and safeguarding sensitive data. AI experts from Naval Group—particularly from the Digital Excellence Centre in Ollioules (South of France)—will strengthen the cortAIx France teams with their specialised knowledge of the naval environment.
​

This joint venture aims to accelerate the industrialisation of AI solutions applied to defence systems within cortAIx.

​Launched in 2024 by Thales—a global leader in advanced technologies—the cortAIx initiative brings together more than 800 AI experts across five hubs in France, the United Kingdom, Canada, Singapore, and Germany. By consolidating AI research, engineering, and industrialisation activities for critical environments, the initiative strengthens Thales’ technological leadership. Over the past decade, Thales’ substantial investment in R&D has made it Europe’s top patent filer for AI in critical systems. This expertise has enabled the integration of artificial intelligence into more than 100 Thales products, offering customers a decisive competitive edge and enhanced resilience, all while ensuring human oversight remains at the core.
​

Naval Group has placed innovation at the heart of its strategy and culture to ensure the competitiveness and technological superiority of its clients at sea. By relying on new digital technologies, artificial intelligence, and augmented reality, and through its activities covering the entire lifecycle of ships, Naval Group enables its clients to maintain the scientific, technological, and industrial capabilities necessary for their sovereignty over the long term.
​

Together, Thales and Naval Group will accelerate the development of trusted AI solutions applied to critical systems in several key areas:

• Collaborative combat, enabling operators to manage multiple systems simultaneously and assist with observation and surveillance missions.
• Decision support systems, based on the rapid analysis of massive, strategic, tactical, and operational data.
• Electronic warfare, to reduce the cognitive load on operators, automate signal identification, radar geolocation, and mission analysis report generation.
• Training and simulation, to offer realistic and adaptive scenarios while optimising costs, operational preparation, and post-exercise analysis.
• Logistics and support, using analytical rules to better anticipate operational needs.

About Thales

Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) is a global leader in advanced technologies for the Defence, Aerospace, and Cyber & Digital sectors. Its portfolio of innovative products and services addresses several major challenges: sovereignty, security, sustainability and inclusion.

The Group invests more than €4 billion per year in Research & Development in key areas, particularly for critical environments, such as Artificial Intelligence, cybersecurity, quantum and cloud technologies. Thales has more than 83,000 employees in 68 countries. In 2024, the Group generated sales of €20.6 billion.

About Naval Group

As an international naval defence player, Naval Group is a partner for countries seeking to maintain control of their maritime sovereignty. Naval Group develops innovative solutions to meet its customers’ requirements. The group is present throughout the entire life cycle ofvessels. It designs, produces, equips, integrates, supports and upgrades submarines andsurface ships, as well as their systems and equipment, right up to the final phases ofdeconstruction and dismantling. Naval Group’s unique know-how in autonomous systems,underwater weapons and drones place it in pole position to become European leader in the sector. As a high-tech company, it draws on its outstanding expertise, unique design and production resources and ability to establish strategic partnerships, in particular within the framework of transfers of technology. It also provides shipyard and naval base services. Ever mindful of the issues concerning corporate social responsibility (CSR), Naval Group is a signatory to the United Nations Global Compact. Located on five continents, the group generates revenue of 4.355 billion euros and has 16,722 employees (Full-Time Equivalent average annual workforce – figures as on 31 December 2024).

Know more about

Thales launches cortAIx in the UK with 200 experts in AI for critical systems

Naval Group, media relations

Coline Gagneux
​+33 (0)6 08 13 90 09
​coline.gagneux-chapron@naval-group.com